Retiring Houston County Hospital District Board Member Ronnie LaRue was recognized during the regular meeting held Tuesday, April 21.
Board President Dr. John Stovall presented a plaque to LaRue and thanked him for his years of service to the district.
After the May 9 election, the board will appoint someone to assume LaRue’s position on the board.
Shortly after opening the meeting in the absence of members Deborah Blackwell, Dr. George Beeler and Dr. Patrick Walker, members approved a resolution naming Dr. Stovall, Dr. Walker and Dick Murchison as signators on the checking account.
Murchison reported that the district accounts indicated cash assets at slightly more than $3 million and total assets of $8.1 million.
Murchison said the first payment on the construction of the resident/student housing building was made in the amount of $27,618.
Dr. Ray Morrison said, “This program is going great,” highlighting the construction progress. He indicated he hoped to offer a tour of the building at the next meeting.
Dr. Morrison also said that Dr. John Bowling and Dr. David McClellon would be at the next board meeting to discuss the resident/student program.
In other business, ETMC Administrator Terry Cutler reported that the census for the hospital was running about normal for this time of year.
Cutler also said at some time he wanted to talk about the Upper Payment Limit (UPL) saying that it could have helped with the cost of the construction of the resident housing building.
“I think it is dollars you are leaving on the table. I hate to see us walk away from medicaid dollars.”
In other business, Georgianna Bozeman reported on the status of the surgery center.
Ms. Bozeman said they had been approved for $189,677 and two quarterly reports had been filed but she was running out of ways to gently discuss the project.
She said now was the time to get started.
“The biggest thing we have to do is spend some money. We have to get off the dime.” she said, pointing out that Mark Strong had submitted a bill for design and engineering.